Will.Pesek

"New York Isles"

United States •

Expansion Draft

With the Islanders 6 points out of a playoff spot, the Islanders roller coaster season is likely over. The next closest thing for Isles fans is too look is the Expansion Draft and the entry draft. In terms of the Expansion Draft, the Islanders have some thinking to do. What players do they keep? What players do they leave available? Obviously, Tavares, Ladd, Lee and Bailey will have to be kept. In most likelihood, Thomas Hickey will be a Golden Knight next season as he has been brutal this seasons, despite his OT heroics. Thomas Hickey is making a little over 2 million a season and has a 1 year left on his deal come July 1.

As for the entry draft, the Isles will unfortunately not select in the Top three. It will likely be Colorado, Arizona and Vegas. The Isles will have a top 14 pick and they need it. This team is just a few players away from being considered as contenders and a guy like Owen Tippet or Maxime Comtois will fit their need. It is a very weak draft so maybe the Islanders considering will trade their pick for a NHL ready player. Maybe Tyler Johnson, pending an extension from Tampa Bay. The Islanders need a two way forward and we saw when Frans Nielsen left, they began to be disastrous in their own zone and on the power-play. Rookie, Anthony Beauvillier is considered a two way forward for the Isles and is extremely well in his own zone, one of the reasons why he was kept and Barzal was sent to juniors.

Whatever the case may be, the Islanders need a two-way forward and a franchise goalie